Young RivalYoung Rival

Hailing from one of Canadas handful of steel towns, Hamilton, ONs Young Rival harbour sentiments of garage rock past on their self-titled EP. And its not surprising once you know that Emery Dobyns, who has worked with Lou Reed and Patti Smith, produced the six-song recording. Everything about Young Rival is short and punchy, from the titles to the chord progressions to the songs. Opener "Your Island sounds like it belongs in the 60s but manages to stay modern with its grunge rock hybrid riffs, and the psychedelic vibes of "4:15 make it sound like it should be called "4:20. Pulling the best out of the past and mashing it up with the present isnt an easy task but Young Rival do it and they do it well. This band sound worthy of the original Woodstock but could still find a place in the line-up if another incarnation of the festival cropped up today.
(Independent)